Guide to working safely in people's homes - Queensland Government

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Latex allergy Some people may develop allergies to latex products. Three types of reactions that can occur when using latex products are: • Irritant contact dermatitis – this non-allergic condition is the most common reaction to latex products and is caused by: - skin irritation from the accumulation of moisture, sweat, soaps and detergents on the skin - incomplete hand washing and drying - prolonged glove use - the cornstarch which is added to some latex gloves. It causes dry, itchy skin, usually on the hands which resolves once contact with the latex product is discontinued. • Allergic contact dermatitis (also known as delayed hypersensitivity reaction or Type IV) is caused by an allergy to chemicals added during the manufacturing of latex gloves (e.g. thiurams and carbamates). It causes a rash and blisters on the hands, usually occurring several hours after contact. Repeated exposure may cause the skin condition to extend beyond the area of contact with the latex product. • Latex sensitivity (also known as latex allergy, immediate hypersensitivity reaction or Type I) is caused by an allergy to latex proteins and is a more serious condition. Symptoms usually occur soon after exposure and include: - a local or generalised skin rash - hives - itchy eyes - runny nose - wheezing. Note: Rarely, anaphylactic shock can occur, which is a lifethreatening emergency. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland | Department of Justice and Attorney-General Guide to working safely in people’s’ homes. PN10797 Version 3 Last updated February 2011 Some workers may be at greater risk of developing latex allergies, such as workers with pre-existing food allergies or atopy (i.e. a tendency towards allergies such as asthma, hay fever or eczema). Risks to workers from exposure to latex allergy must be assessed and managed. What are the controls? Some controls for managing latex allergy hazards include: • eliminating non-essential use of latex gloves, (e.g. provide workers with non-latex gloves for activities that do not involve contact with blood and body fluids such as routine housekeeping or food preparation) • providing low protein, powder-free latex gloves or latex-free gloves such as vinyl or nitrile gloves • providing workers with information on latex allergy and safe work practices • instructing workers to wash their hands with soap and water after removing latex gloves to remove natural rubber latex proteins from the skin • ensuring workers do not use oil-based creams or lotions with latex gloves, as these can cause the gloves to deteriorate • instructing workers to report health problems from the use of latex gloves, and ensure that affected workers seek medical attention • identifying clients who may have a latex allergy and ensure that health and personal care is provided to these clients in a latex-safe environment. How to tell if the controls are working • consult with staff and follow-up on issues raised • conduct regular audits to ensure controls are effective and are being used by staff. 12
Hazardous substances/chemicals There are a number of chemicals used in community service work, particularly for cleaning, laundry and gardening tasks. Some of these chemicals may be hazardous with the risks increased in areas with poor ventilation (e.g. shower alcoves, ovens or small gardening sheds). The effects from exposure to hazardous substances can range from minor skin irritation to chronic diseases such as occupational asthma and various forms of cancer. Note: Medications, with the exception of a few such as cytotoxic (anti-neoplastic) drugs, are not classified hazardous substances. All chemicals are hazards that should be identified and managed. What chemicals could workers be exposed to and how will it affect them? Disinfectants and cleaning solutions are a common cause of chemical injuries among workers in the home environment. Substances, like sodium hypochlorite (bleach) are an irritant and, in high concentrations, may cause burns to the skin, mucous membranes and eyes. Who has legal responsibilities? Material safety data sheets The employer must obtain, from the supplier, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), for each hazardous substance supplied to the workplace. The MSDS contain: • chemical and physical properties of the substance • health hazards and first aid information • precautions for safe use and handling. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland | Department of Justice and Attorney-General Guide to working safely in people’s’ homes. PN10797 Version 3 Last updated February 2011 The MSDS for each hazardous substance supplied to the workplace must be kept in a register that is easily accessible to workers using the substances. Labelling containers Suppliers of hazardous substances must ensure a label is fixed to the container stating the: • product name • chemical name • substance’s risk and safety phrases. These labels are essential to ensure a user of the substance knows what precautions to take when using it. Decanting chemicals should be avoided where possible to prevent the risk of someone being exposed to substances to which the correct safety precautions are unknown. If decanting cannot be avoided, and the entire contents of the container are not used immediately, a label must be fixed to the container stating the substance’s product name, and risk and safety phrases. Unlabelled substances containers that were used immediately should be discarded immediately after use. What to consider when assessing the risks The risks to health from exposure to hazardous substances must be assessed, taking into consideration the: • routes of exposure or entry to the body associated with the substance (e.g. MSDS may indicate that the substance can inflame eyes) • probability that an event may occur from exposure (e.g. how often the substance is applied as an aerosol (mist) which may get into someone’s eyes) • length of exposure time relating to the dose which may be delivered with each exposure and is also important information when considering exposure standards related to the substance • consequences that may result from exposure (e.g. MSDS indicate exposure to eyes may cause impairment). The MSDS and the label on the container will provide some useful information to assist in conducting the risk assessment. A sample assessment checklist is provided on P25. 13
Page 1 and 2: Department of Justice and Attorney-
Page 3 and 4: Table of contents Acknowledgement .
Page 5 and 6: Workplace health and safety obligat
Page 7 and 8: Manual tasks Community service work
Page 9 and 10: Aggressive behaviour Aggressive cli
Page 11: Biological hazards Biological hazar
Page 15 and 16: Electrical What are the legal respo
Page 17 and 18: Slips, trips and falls Slips, trips
Page 19 and 20: More information More information a
Page 21 and 22: Accessibility and safety of premise
Page 23 and 24: Equipment checklist Please indicate
Page 25 and 26: Hazardous substances checklist Haza
Page 27: Checklists outcomes Corrective acti

Guide to working safely in people's homes - Queensland Government

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?